On Thursday, May 7th a Presidential Executive Order was issued approving the principle of finfish aquaculture in Federal waters.  This initiative would favor companies wishing to establish projects in U.S. waters. The Executive Order places jurisdiction for approval of projects under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the implied imperative to expand seafood production.

The Executive Order and future implementation will be opposed by environmentalists and scientists who consider the action by the Administration to be injudicious.  Opposition to mariculture is based on projects in in Asia that have resulted in pollution and environmental degradation. The independent sea-fishing industry will also voice opposition.

The seafood industry is obvious in favor of displacing imports as domestic catches in the Gulf and along the Atlantic seaboard are declining. This is a result of over-fishing generally and adverse environmental impacts from the oil industry in the Gulf and eutrophication from agricultural runoff down the Mississippi resulting in ‘Dead Zones”.

There does not seem to be any specific reason why finfish cannot be successfully farmed by applying appropriate precautions and best management practices, although these are very large "ifs".  Irrespective of the Executive Order which appears at face value more political than practical, there will be little movement to commercialization since NOAA will have to develop regulations and environmentalist will fight proposals through the courts.